When Betty NeSmith began holding meetings to discuss plans for 2nd Saturdays in downtown Tarboro, there were three people at the table.

Since the first 2nd Saturday on April 12, the recent planning meetings now are averaging about 12 downtown merchants. And there are two meetings per week at 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Edgecombe County Memorial Library.

The second 2nd Saturday is this weekend. Mother's Day is the theme and some stores will have tables outside featuring inexpensive gifts appropriate for Mother's Day. Other tables will hold homemade crafts.

"We feel good about what we have started," NeSmith said. "It will take time, but there's much more interest now."

Like last time, there will be a directory for yard sales going on Saturday. That list will be posted at NeSmith's Community Bulletin board in front of 305 Main St. and available at participating yard sale sites.

There will be several varieties of food offered Saturday, including barbecued ribs and wings at the Constantine Building at the corner of Main and St. John streets. The La Famila restaurant will be unveiling a new menu. The Main Street Café at the corner of Main and Church streets is opening Saturday with new owners, Michael and Jennifer Price.

The Juneteenth folks will offer hot dogs. Carol Quigless will have healthy desserts for sale. Joe Pitt of Ace Home Center has loaned his popcorn machine. And there will baked goods for sale.

Rose Cottage Books on St. John Street, which closed last week, will be open for a book sale. The Unusual Shoppe at 108 E. Pitt St. will have a used book sale.

Grandhoue tattoo will be offering temporary tattoos.

Music will be limited as the group has yet to get permission from Town Council to set up a sound system and/or a stage on Courthouse Square.

2nd Saturdays grew out of a Grassroots of Tarboro group NeSmith founded to promote the town she has grown to love.

She and her husband Curt operate JAC's, a Web-based wholesale business the old Marrow-Pitt Building at the corner of Main and Pitt streets. Her daughter Destin manages The Unusual Shoppe.

Grassroots is looking into raising enough money to add a banner to the billboards on U.S. 64 that advertise Tarboro and Edgecombe County.